Have you read the rest of my posts? I said I like watching the Pumas and support them in most games (apart from vs NZ and England). I can't support their football team though (due to incidents above). I know there will be exceptions, but the general British public opinion of Argentinian sports teams is probably negative. Sorry to have annoyed you.

Ah, didn't read the first post. As you were.

Although not sure there is a general dislike of Argentinian sports teams. It's more a football centric thing imo.

I bet that "Las Leonas" (Argentine girls playing field hockey) will not be so unpleasant. In fact, all women's hockey teams that I have witnessed (even the Dutch, who developed the bad habit to beat us often) I have found quite pleasant.

De la Fuente is more likely as a replacement for Hernandez. Moroni is the natural replacement for Bosch.I would also like to see the duo De La Fuente - Moroni. Perhaps against Namibia we can see them (Hourcade said a while ago that every game was going to put all the best that was available)

De la Fuente is more likely as a replacement for Hernandez. Moroni is the natural replacement for Bosch.I would also like to see the duo De La Fuente - Moroni. Perhaps against Namibia we can see them (Hourcade said a while ago that every game was going to put all the best that was available)

Bosch can play 12 or 13 so could partner either.

de la Fuente has the physicality to balance Moroni's beautiful running lines and footballing skills. Really have high hopes and think they could be Argentina's Nonu and Smith in the future.

De la Fuente is more likely as a replacement for Hernandez. Moroni is the natural replacement for Bosch.I would also like to see the duo De La Fuente - Moroni. Perhaps against Namibia we can see them (Hourcade said a while ago that every game was going to put all the best that was available)

Bosch can play 12 or 13 so could partner either.

de la Fuente has the physicality to balance Moroni's beautiful running lines and footballing skills. Really have high hopes and think they could be Argentina's Nonu and Smith in the future.

Curious game against Georgia. We started playing with two fly-halves (Sanchez and Hernandez) and ended with Bosch playing in that position.

De la Fuente is more likely as a replacement for Hernandez. Moroni is the natural replacement for Bosch.I would also like to see the duo De La Fuente - Moroni. Perhaps against Namibia we can see them (Hourcade said a while ago that every game was going to put all the best that was available)

Bosch can play 12 or 13 so could partner either.

de la Fuente has the physicality to balance Moroni's beautiful running lines and footballing skills. Really have high hopes and think they could be Argentina's Nonu and Smith in the future.

Curious game against Georgia. We started playing with two fly-halves (Sanchez and Hernandez) and ended with Bosch playing in that position.

Was difficult for me to see with all the bouncing in the stand, did Amourosino not stand in at fly half as well briefly till Tuculet moved forward to centre to try and get on the scoresheet as his wingers had two each?

Coming back to the thread, the best thing is that we are looking at the product of a very long development process. The PladAR system is a success, and I applaud the decision of UAR and IRB of setting it.

De la Fuente is more likely as a replacement for Hernandez. Moroni is the natural replacement for Bosch.I would also like to see the duo De La Fuente - Moroni. Perhaps against Namibia we can see them (Hourcade said a while ago that every game was going to put all the best that was available)

Bosch can play 12 or 13 so could partner either.

de la Fuente has the physicality to balance Moroni's beautiful running lines and footballing skills. Really have high hopes and think they could be Argentina's Nonu and Smith in the future.

Curious game against Georgia. We started playing with two fly-halves (Sanchez and Hernandez) and ended with Bosch playing in that position.

Was difficult for me to see with all the bouncing in the stand, did Amourosino not stand in at fly half as well briefly till Tuculet moved forward to centre to try and get on the scoresheet as his wingers had two each?

Thanks, must have been off phase play not set piece I saw LGA at 10. As say, my view was obscured by a lot of bouncing, by me and everyone around me.

Bosch statements several years ago:I was always fly half and is the place that allowed me to start playing national teams, but the truth is that now I feel great center. In the opening game Biarritz fullback or only when there are any injured and the coach asks me what, and Los Pumas I feel very comfortable playing alongside Santi Fernández. I think we complement each other very well both in defense and attack.

Petti is back. He stated on the press that he doesn't remember his try against NZ: "I remember picking up the ball at the ruck, then leaving the pitch"...)

No injuries at the back row, the coach is shuffling names to try and find the best combination. It's the first time in a very long while that we have so many options in there... a poster in an Argentine news site said "...so that's how it feels to support the ABs..."

Landajo...

De La Fuente in for Hernandez who is a confirmed injury casualty for this match and is likely to be rested against Namibia too. Apparently the coach likes the way Moroni works with De La Fuente...

Petti is back. He stated on the press that he doesn't remember his try against NZ: "I remember picking up the ball at the ruck, then leaving the pitch"...)

No injuries at the back row, the coach is shuffling names to try and find the best combination. It's the first time in a very long while that we have so many options in there... a poster in an Argentine news site said "...so that's how it feels to support the ABs..."

Landajo...

De La Fuente in for Hernandez who is a confirmed injury casualty for this match and is likely to be rested against Namibia too. Apparently the coach likes the way Moroni works with De La Fuente...

Should have good chemistry from sevens and as I mentioned a good balance to them. Landajo need some to start, Cubelli is becoming more important Every game so needs managed well.

it is a very good problem to have in the back row. Perhaps just play JMFL at 10!

I just don't like the idea of going into Tonga's match overconfident, rolling in the changes to manage people... we need to put our best available team, win and then rest against Namibia if possible.

Tonga can be a banana skin, and if they beat us it's nearly out since they got the losing BP against Georgia...

Don't worry about being weakened, the prop change is enforced and that centre partnership, while inexperienced, I have no doubt will be immense. If Moroni doesn't score twice he will have set up a couple for the wings.

Petti is back. He stated on the press that he doesn't remember his try against NZ: "I remember picking up the ball at the ruck, then leaving the pitch"...)

No injuries at the back row, the coach is shuffling names to try and find the best combination. It's the first time in a very long while that we have so many options in there... a poster in an Argentine news site said "...so that's how it feels to support the ABs..."

Landajo...

De La Fuente in for Hernandez who is a confirmed injury casualty for this match and is likely to be rested against Namibia too. Apparently the coach likes the way Moroni works with De La Fuente...

I see you're copy/pasting in different threads the same wording, is that the age?

I just don't like the idea of going into Tonga's match overconfident, rolling in the changes to manage people... we need to put our best available team, win and then rest against Namibia if possible.

Tonga can be a banana skin, and if they beat us it's nearly out since they got the losing BP against Georgia...

Don't worry about being weakened, the prop change is enforced and that centre partnership, while inexperienced, I have no doubt will be immense. If Moroni doesn't score twice he will have set up a couple for the wings.

Got the same feeling over here, but looking at the side it looks quite good. I'm expecting to see nice lines outside with a solid pack to backup all mistakes.

Landajo though... we can only hope that Cubelli's getting a deserved resting time...

Suggestion:This could be transformed into an all things Argentinian Rugby thread to really traction, not just the Pumas, because during November-May the thread would sunk into the dark depths of PR forum. Super Rubgy franchise, Argentine players and coaches abroad, Jaguares, Pumitas, Pampas XV, Pumas Sevens, Campeonato Argentino, Nacional de Clubes, Torneo de la URBA, Torneo del Interior, etc.

Tomorrow is a massive match, I hope the team goes all-out, full-throttle from minute 1, but also play smart rubgy. If Georgia proved something is that Tonga has a very difficult time when they're behind in the score. Not sure if that many changes from the Georgia match is a smart move... maybe Namibia was the match to try that.

Suggestion:This could be transformed into an all things Argentinian Rugby thread to really traction, not just the Pumas, because during November-May the thread would sunk into the dark depths of PR forum. Super Rubgy franchise, Argentine players and coaches abroad, Jaguares, Pumitas, Pampas XV, Pumas Sevens, Campeonato Argentino, Nacional de Clubes, Torneo de la URBA, Torneo del Interior, etc.

Tomorrow is a massive match, I hope the team goes all-out, full-throttle from minute 1, but also play smart rubgy. If Georgia proved something is that Tonga has a very difficult time when they're behind in the score. Not sure if that many changes from the Georgia match is a smart move... maybe Namibia was the match to try that.

Suggestion:This could be transformed into an all things Argentinian Rugby thread to really traction, not just the Pumas, because during November-May the thread would sunk into the dark depths of PR forum. Super Rubgy franchise, Argentine players and coaches abroad, Jaguares, Pumitas, Pampas XV, Pumas Sevens, Campeonato Argentino, Nacional de Clubes, Torneo de la URBA, Torneo del Interior, etc.

Tomorrow is a massive match, I hope the team goes all-out, full-throttle from minute 1, but also play smart rubgy. If Georgia proved something is that Tonga has a very difficult time when they're behind in the score. Not sure if that many changes from the Georgia match is a smart move... maybe Namibia was the match to try that.

Hard to think CUBA could beat Hindú after both displays during this weekend...

CUBA has a stern defense, but the number of offensive threats Hidú has is astonishing.

The reserve SH in the Pumas extended squad is the reserve SH in Hindú...

And how dumb can the BAC players be? Didn't they know the match was on TV and had a working TMO? BAC's 5 could've been sent off directly when he was yellowed and clearly deserved the red when he got it, and yet he kept going on about it...

You guys seem to have clicked nicely. Just wondering who you'd prefer to meet in the quarter finals at this point in time?

I think that the Pumas know France more, and usually get good results against them. Playing against Ireland without Felipe Contepomi and Ronan O'Gara "warming up" the game will not be the same.However, our opponents are going to decide the game Ireland vs France, and I believe that France has less apprehension in face ABs, and may not play the whole for the whole to prevent it.

Have you read the rest of my posts? I said I like watching the Pumas and support them in most games (apart from vs NZ and England). I can't support their football team though (due to incidents above). I know there will be exceptions, but the general British public opinion of Argentinian sports teams is probably negative. Sorry to have annoyed you.

Ah, didn't read the first post. As you were.

Although not sure there is a general dislike of Argentinian sports teams. It's more a football centric thing imo.

I bet that "Las Leonas" (Argentine girls playing field hockey) will not be so unpleasant. In fact, all women's hockey teams that I have witnessed (even the Dutch, who developed the bad habit to beat us often) I have found quite pleasant.

Landajo though... we can only hope that Cubelli's getting a deserved resting time...

I don't get this. I thought he played well, I like his aggressive running game. And he's generally been good in TRC. Is the consensus in Argentina that Cubelli is better?

I really do not like Landajo a lot because he runs too much, and instead of distributing the ball, he ends up caught in a ruck. I preferred Vergallo to him, but he dissappeared from the National selection.

Cubelli is much better managing the game, and that is the main attribute of the scrum half.

Have you read the rest of my posts? I said I like watching the Pumas and support them in most games (apart from vs NZ and England). I can't support their football team though (due to incidents above). I know there will be exceptions, but the general British public opinion of Argentinian sports teams is probably negative. Sorry to have annoyed you.

Ah, didn't read the first post. As you were.

Although not sure there is a general dislike of Argentinian sports teams. It's more a football centric thing imo.

I bet that "Las Leonas" (Argentine girls playing field hockey) will not be so unpleasant. In fact, all women's hockey teams that I have witnessed (even the Dutch, who developed the bad habit to beat us often) I have found quite pleasant.

Excellent adherence to rule one.

That's a team I could get behind

In the Argentine private schools is a tradition that boys play rugby and girls play hockey. Therefore, it is difficult to find a former rugby player who does not have an "old story" with a cute hockey player.

Hard to think CUBA could beat Hindú after both displays during this weekend...

CUBA has a stern defense, but the number of offensive threats Hidú has is astonishing.

The reserve SH in the Pumas extended squad is the reserve SH in Hindú...

And how dumb can the BAC players be? Didn't they know the match was on TV and had a working TMO? BAC's 5 could've been sent off directly when he was yellowed and clearly deserved the red when he got it, and yet he kept going on about it...

And I blame the ref for that, not only for his clownesque socks and shorts but also for letting the 30 players protest every taken decision.

I bet that "Las Leonas" (Argentine girls playing field hockey) will not be so unpleasant. In fact, all women's hockey teams that I have witnessed (even the Dutch, who developed the bad habit to beat us often) I have found quite pleasant.

Hard to think CUBA could beat Hindú after both displays during this weekend...

CUBA has a stern defense, but the number of offensive threats Hidú has is astonishing.

The reserve SH in the Pumas extended squad is the reserve SH in Hindú...

And how dumb can the BAC players be? Didn't they know the match was on TV and had a working TMO? BAC's 5 could've been sent off directly when he was yellowed and clearly deserved the red when he got it, and yet he kept going on about it...

And I blame the ref for that, not only for his clownesque socks and shorts but also for letting the 30 players protest every taken decision.

He could've been more harsh right from the start to shut people up, true... I don't think he's amongst the best refs, but he was probably the best available one. Lots of the top refs packed their bags and left for the UK to watch the RWC...

Hard to think CUBA could beat Hindú after both displays during this weekend...

CUBA has a stern defense, but the number of offensive threats Hidú has is astonishing.

The reserve SH in the Pumas extended squad is the reserve SH in Hindú...

And how dumb can the BAC players be? Didn't they know the match was on TV and had a working TMO? BAC's 5 could've been sent off directly when he was yellowed and clearly deserved the red when he got it, and yet he kept going on about it...

And I blame the ref for that, not only for his clownesque socks and shorts but also for letting the 30 players protest every taken decision.

He could've been more harsh right from the start to shut people up, true... I don't think he's amongst the best refs, but he was probably the best available one. Lots of the top refs packed their bags and left for the UK to watch the RWC...

Hard to think CUBA could beat Hindú after both displays during this weekend...

CUBA has a stern defense, but the number of offensive threats Hidú has is astonishing.

The reserve SH in the Pumas extended squad is the reserve SH in Hindú...

And how dumb can the BAC players be? Didn't they know the match was on TV and had a working TMO? BAC's 5 could've been sent off directly when he was yellowed and clearly deserved the red when he got it, and yet he kept going on about it...

And I blame the ref for that, not only for his clownesque socks and shorts but also for letting the 30 players protest every taken decision.

He could've been more harsh right from the start to shut people up, true... I don't think he's amongst the best refs, but he was probably the best available one. Lots of the top refs packed their bags and left for the UK to watch the RWC...

Hard to think CUBA could beat Hindú after both displays during this weekend...

CUBA has a stern defense, but the number of offensive threats Hidú has is astonishing.

The reserve SH in the Pumas extended squad is the reserve SH in Hindú...

And how dumb can the BAC players be? Didn't they know the match was on TV and had a working TMO? BAC's 5 could've been sent off directly when he was yellowed and clearly deserved the red when he got it, and yet he kept going on about it...

And I blame the ref for that, not only for his clownesque socks and shorts but also for letting the 30 players protest every taken decision.

He could've been more harsh right from the start to shut people up, true... I don't think he's amongst the best refs, but he was probably the best available one. Lots of the top refs packed their bags and left for the UK to watch the RWC...

Do you use baby pink socks/shorts as well?

I'm not currently reffing. Too much travel back and forth from Puerto Belgrano... I use the weekends to be with the kids.

Hard to think CUBA could beat Hindú after both displays during this weekend...

CUBA has a stern defense, but the number of offensive threats Hidú has is astonishing.

The reserve SH in the Pumas extended squad is the reserve SH in Hindú...

And how dumb can the BAC players be? Didn't they know the match was on TV and had a working TMO? BAC's 5 could've been sent off directly when he was yellowed and clearly deserved the red when he got it, and yet he kept going on about it...

And I blame the ref for that, not only for his clownesque socks and shorts but also for letting the 30 players protest every taken decision.

He could've been more harsh right from the start to shut people up, true... I don't think he's amongst the best refs, but he was probably the best available one. Lots of the top refs packed their bags and left for the UK to watch the RWC...

Do you use baby pink socks/shorts as well?

I'm not currently reffing. Too much travel back and forth from Puerto Belgrano... I use the weekends to be with the kids.

I also don't post things twice...

That's good for you, you have to keep the kids of both families happy.

BURTON UPON TRENT -- The Pumas have always been recognised for their dedication, their defence and their tackling. But recently, and especially now in Rugby World Cup 2015, they have been playing the game with a different style.

More than ever in their World Cup appearances, they are a team with an ambitious attacking game. The dawn of this new era came with New Zealand's Graham Henry, when he worked with Santiago Phelan's staff in 2012 and 2013, and it has deepened since Daniel Hourcade took over two years ago. They are the architects of this new identity.

On entering the Rugby Championship, the Argentine team had to catch up with the best. And the Argentine Rugby Union (UAR) decision to hire Henry, who had become world champion with the All Blacks a few months before, was quite successful. With his wisdom and simplicity, he started leading the way.

"He told us what was coming," said Raul Perez, Hourcade's assistant coach. "That plays are sparked by individuals, and that we had to work harder on their skills. He said that England wanted to play like New Zealand, but didn't have what it takes, individually. He left a mark."

Hourcade also values Henry's contribution: "He helped us realise that our problem was simple and easy. It should have been something basic. If the ball isn't passed correctly, there is no system that can work. When the individual action is not good, nothing can work. It's not a magical solution. We couldn't perform before because the skills weren't properly trained."

Another piece of Henry's advice was to work on the breakdown, making it a priority so as to be able to carry out the game plan. "After the first match in La Plata against the All Blacks, he said: 'You had all the lineouts and the scrums, and what did you do?'," Perez said. "Then we understood that when attacking and defending, the ball on the ground is really important."

Hourcade added: "We couldn't ruck in less than three seconds, make passes on the face of the defence. What we did with Graham was lowering the level of information to the players. Keeping four or five weapons and becoming as efficient as possible. Since then, we have been working on doing the smallest things right."

There were two years - 2012 and 2013 - when progress was made, and the basis for everything that came afterwards was established. Hourcade, who took office in November 2013, played a key role in that process. "Hourcade's great emphasis on instilling the team with the need of having the ball and attacking was very important, as it always brings a chance of inflicting uncertainty to the opposing defense," Perez said.

Marcos Ayerza, one of the players who had to adapt to the changes, said: "The idea of having simple structures, but with a more aggressive attacking mindset, began with Henry. And Hourcade continued and deepened that style. This is imperative in the level of rugby we play. You cannot have a conservative defensive game because you have to go for the result against the best teams. These years in the Rugby Championship have helped us make the transition into this version."

Different was the case of Facundo Isa and all the young players who developed through the UAR's High Performance Plan. "I've always had the new system in my head because I trained with it. It's easy for us because we have been working on it for a long time," said the player born in Santiago del Estero.

Hourcade imposed his style, and the group bought into it. "I follow it because I believe in it. I'm convinced. I believe in this system and I always did," Isa said.

Today the Pumas are living a different World Cup, in which they are considered one of the teams with more resolve to attack and play. That is definitely their signature.